A picosecond laser fires pulses lasting trillionths of a second, and pico toning in Seoul passes it at low energy over the whole face to break excess pigment into fragments the skin can clear. Each session at ENTER Plastic Surgery takes about 15–20 minutes with no numbing, and a course runs 5–10 sessions spaced 1–2 weeks apart.
Is it for you?
Who pico toning is for
Toning is a low-energy, whole-face approach. Its target is pigment that is spread out or patchy, such as melasma, a dull and uneven tone, or scattered freckling, where a strong single blast on each spot would risk irritating the skin and triggering more pigment. Small doses repeated over weeks lower the melanin load step by step.
It is a slower route for a single, sharply defined brown spot, and it is the wrong tool for raised growths such as moles or warts, which call for a different laser. Because pigment responds to sun and heat, results also depend on how well the skin is protected between and after sessions.
Usually a good fit
- Melasma or patchy pigment across the cheeks
- Dull, uneven skin tone
- Scattered freckles or sun-related spots
- Able to come back every 1–2 weeks for a course
- Ready to use sunscreen through the day
We may suggest waiting
- Fresh sunburn or a recent deep tan
- Active acne flare, cold sore or infection on the face
- Raised moles or warts to be removed
- Pregnancy, unless cleared by your own doctor
- Expecting pigment to clear in one session
How it works
How pico toning breaks up pigment
Pigment in the skin is melanin, packed in tiny granules. A laser pulse heats the granules it hits, and the shorter the pulse, the less time that heat has to spread to the surrounding tissue. Picosecond pulses are short enough that much of the effect is mechanical: the granule shatters into smaller pieces that the skin's own clearing cells carry away over the following days. At toning settings the beam is broad and the energy low, so the laser is moved across the whole face in even passes, not aimed at one spot.
The evidence supports the approach with caveats. A systematic review of 77 studies rated picosecond lasers a safe, effective option for benign pigment, with melasma graded at evidence level II (Wu, 2020). In a split-face trial of low-energy 1064 nm picosecond toning, both sides improved on a melasma score, and the side treated with an added micro-lens array had fewer recurrences at six months (Wu, 2025). A network meta-analysis found the highest response when a 1064 nm picosecond laser was combined with tranexamic acid (Ren, 2023), a sign that melasma care can involve more than one tool.
Reading the pigment type
At consultationThe type and depth of pigment are checked, including whether it looks like melasma, freckles or post-inflammatory marks, since that decides whether toning fits.
Clean skin and eye shields
Makeup and sunscreen are removed and eye shields are put on. No numbing cream is applied before pico toning.
Low-energy passes over the face
About 15–20 minutesThe laser is moved across the face in overlapping passes at toning settings, spreading small doses of energy evenly over the pigmented areas.
Soothing and sun protection
The skin is calmed, sunscreen goes on before you leave, and the next visit is set for one to two weeks later.
Pigment laser choices on the ENTER Plastic Surgery menu
| Point of comparison | Pico toning | Clarity laser toning |
|---|---|---|
| Laser | Picosecond laser | Clarity II (Lutronic) |
| Visit time | 15–20 minutes | 20–30 minutes |
| Numbing | None | Numbing cream |
| Course | 5–10 sessions, 1–2 weeks apart | 5–10 sessions, 2–4 weeks apart |
| After the visit | Face wash and makeup the same day | A small bandage may be placed |
| Upkeep (clinic guidance) | Every 2–3 months | Pigment can recur; sun care and upkeep |
Times, courses and upkeep are the clinic's own guidance; pigment response differs between people.
Your doctor
Chief Director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“Natural, yet clearly visible change.”Eyelid and facelift surgery at ENTER is planned and performed by Dr. Jang himself.
- NowChief Director, ENTER Plastic Surgery
- TrainingPlastic surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical Center
- FormerChief Director, Jang Plastic Surgery
- FormerDirector, Secret Plastic Surgery
- MemberKSPRS · KSAPS · ISAPS · ESOPRS · ASPS
At a glance
Pico toning at a glance
| Procedure time | About 15–20 minutes per face session |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | None needed |
| Downtime | Face wash and makeup the same day; no scrubs or peels for 2 weeks |
| Recommended sessions | 5–10, spaced 1–2 weeks apart |
| How long results last | Builds over a course; upkeep every 2–3 months |
| Return to exercise | Generally, strenuous exercise, swimming and saunas are avoided for about 5–10 days after laser treatment (varies with device and settings) |
| Earliest flight home | Same day |
Prices
Pico toning cost per session in Seoul
Three lines cover pico toning on the menu. The single session is one face treatment; the full-body line is one session over the body; and the brightening laser package bundles a pigment and regeneration laser with brightening skin care and a vitamin C soothing step in one visit. Every price is excluding VAT (10% VAT is added at payment), and no numbing is charged because none is used.
Since toning works in a course, the figure to budget is the single-session line multiplied by the number of visits you can attend, then an upkeep visit every two to three months. Ask for the planned number of sessions in your quote if you are combining treatment with several trips.
Prices exclude VAT (10% VAT is added at payment).
Recovery
Skin care after pico toning
You can wash your face and put on makeup the same day. Reapply sunscreen every three to four hours whenever you are outdoors.
Keep up the sunscreen routine and a plain moisturizer. Hats and shade help, because sun exposure is the main trigger for pigment coming back.
The skin is more sensitive, so stop scrubs, peels and exfoliating products for two weeks. Contact the clinic straight away if you see blistering, crusting or a patch that turns darker or lighter.
Your next session falls one to two weeks after the last, so the course builds on the previous dose.
Safety
Risks of pico toning
Low energy does not mean no risk. Pigment cells react to irritation, and repeated toning can tip the balance in either direction. A meta-analysis of 50 studies on low-fluence Nd:YAG toning, a related technique, found that the effect faded over time and that lighter patches became more frequent as the number of sessions rose (Cervantes, 2022).
- Short-lived redness or a warm, tight feeling after the session.
- Darker patches after irritation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), more likely with sun exposure.
- Lighter spots or mottling (hypopigmentation) after many sessions.
- Melasma returning after the course ends.
- Irritation or sensitivity if scrubs or peels are used too soon.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- A Systematic Review of Picosecond Laser in Dermatology: Evidence and RecommendationsLasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2020 · Wu D et al. · doi:10.1002/lsm.23244
Systematic review of 77 studies: picosecond lasers are a safe, effective option for benign pigment, scars and tattoos; melasma evidence graded level II.
- Efficacy and safety of low-fluence 1064 nm picosecond laser with/without micro-lens arrays for melasma treatment: a randomized, split-face controlled studyLasers in Medical Science · 2025 · Wu X et al. · doi:10.1007/s10103-025-04655-w
Split-face randomized trial: low-energy 1064 nm picosecond toning lowered melasma scores on both sides; adding a micro-lens array meant fewer recurrences at six months.
- Efficacy and Safety of Picosecond Laser in the Treatment of Melasma: A Network Meta-analysisDermatologic Surgery · 2023 · Ren R et al. · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000003775
Network meta-analysis of 20 melasma studies: 1064 nm picosecond laser plus tranexamic acid had the highest response rate; overall certainty low.
- Efficacy and Safety of Low Fluence Nd:YAG Laser Treatment in Melasma: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic ReviewDermatologic Surgery · 2022 · Cervantes J et al. · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000003635
Meta-analysis of 50 studies on low-fluence Nd:YAG toning: combined treatment beat toning alone, the effect faded over time, and more sessions meant more hypopigmentation.
FAQ
Pico toning FAQ
Which skin products should I pause after pico toning?
Stop scrubs, peels and any exfoliating product for two weeks after each session, because the skin is more sensitive. Gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen are fine. Reapply sunscreen every three to four hours outdoors, since sun on freshly treated skin can bring pigment back.
Does pico toning fit into a short trip to Seoul?
One session does. The clinic's guidance is that you can fly home on the day of treatment, and the face can be washed and made up the same day. A full course is the harder part: sessions are spaced one to two weeks apart, so a longer stay or repeat visits are needed.
Which doctor focuses on pigment treatment at the clinic?
Dr. Choi Yul, a family medicine specialist, focuses on Botox, injections and pigment treatment at ENTER Plastic Surgery. Which doctor sees you for a given toning visit is not fixed on this page, so ask when you book if you want to know in advance.
Is VAT included in the pico toning price?
No. One face session is ₩200,000 excluding VAT, and 10% VAT is added at payment. The full-body and brightening package lines are listed the same way. There is no numbing charge, because toning is done without anesthetic cream.
How do I arrange pico toning sessions from abroad?
Send the form on this page or message us on WhatsApp with your skin concern and the dates you will be in Seoul. We will get back to you as soon as possible. English-speaking staff are available at the clinic, so the aftercare steps can be explained in English at your visit.
Is a deposit required to reserve pico toning?
The terms are set per booking and are not listed on this page. Request the deposit and cancellation conditions in writing before you pay, particularly if you are reserving several visits one to two weeks apart, where moving one session shifts the rest.
Is pico toning used for melasma?
Yes, melasma is one of its main uses, and a review graded the picosecond evidence for melasma at level II. Melasma is a long-term condition, though. It can return after a course, sun protection decides much of the result, and studies report better responses when toning is combined with other treatment.
What is the difference between pico toning and pico fraxel?
Pico toning spreads low energy evenly over the face to lighten pigment. Pico fraxel passes the picosecond beam through a lens array that concentrates it into tiny points, a setup used more for texture and pores. Pico fraxel is not on this price list, so it has no listed price here.
What is in the brightening laser package?
The package combines a pigment and regeneration laser with brightening skin care and a vitamin C soothing step in a single visit, priced at ₩650,000 + VAT. It suits a visit where you want care added to the laser; ask which laser is used for your skin.
Can pico toning make pigment worse?
It can. Irritated skin may darken afterward, especially with sun exposure, and a meta-analysis of a related toning technique found lighter patches more frequent as sessions increased. Report any patch that turns darker or lighter, and keep exfoliants away from the skin for two weeks after each session.
Can pico toning be done on the body?
Yes. The menu has a full-body pico toning line, priced at ₩1,100,000 + VAT per session, with about one hour noted for it. It is aimed at uneven tone on body skin, and the same rules apply afterward: daily sunscreen on exposed areas and no scrubs or peels for two weeks.
Google reviews
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Great experience! Dr. is very sweet and kind. He listened to what I wanted to fix and correct. He explained everything very well. Wasn’t pushy and didn’t try to sell anything extra. This isn’t a clinic that comes out on instagram, which I…
Jennifer LyuA month agoI came to Enter Plastic Surgery on a friend’s recommendation for under-eye fat repositioning. I was pretty nervous going in, but the doctor took the time to explain what would work for my under-eyes, what the procedure involved, and what…
Michael2 months agoThe staff are incredibly friendly, and the consultation was very thorough. I was very worried since it was my first procedure, but the director explained the aftercare in detail, so I felt completely confident trusting them!!
ROOHEUI SHIN (RHS)2 months ago · Translated by Google